Reply to HB-Woodlawn - what is the level of "independent study" in MS?

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Reply to "HB-Woodlawn - what is the level of "independent study" in MS?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October,  but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

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The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more.   You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm.   And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades. [/quote]

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older. [/quote]

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